Predictors of academic success in a Bachelor of Nursing course

A longitudinal study of one Bachelor of Nursing course (n=181) was carried out to determine the relationship between academic outcomes and pre-entry qualifications and to discuss the progress and success of students with conventional and non-conventional qualifications. A multi-linear regression analysis was used to determine which pre-entry qualification best explained the variation in the course marks. Results identified that the number of GCSE A grades obtained significantly predicted success on the BN course. On the basis of this finding it has been suggested that the new AS levels, introduced as part of the reformed 16-19 curriculum, may have greater predictive value than current A levels since they allow a broader range of study. Students entering the course with non-conventional qualifications were found to achieve slightly lower marks throughout the course and had a high rate of attrition. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and to determine whether high grades in any specific subject, for example Biology, improve the predictive value of pre-entry qualifications.